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The Forest of Nisene Marks State Park

Aptos Rancho Viewpoint–Aptos Creek Road, 3 sights

6.4 mi · ▲ 716 ft · 2 hr 29 min

Aptos Rancho Viewpoint–Aptos Creek Road, 3 sights is a 6.4-mile out-and-back in The Forest of Nisene Marks State Park near Aptos, CA. The route reaches Aptos Rancho Viewpoint. It climbs 716 ft. It scores 58/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: backcountry feel.

Elevation

0 mi52 – 338 ft7.6 mi

Getting there

Trailhead: Aptos Rancho Trail 36.98061, -121.90601
Nearest town Aptos, CA
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Directions

AMBLEWAYwww.ambleway.com

Aptos Rancho Viewpoint–Aptos Creek Road, 3 sights

6.4 mi · ▲ 716 ft · 2 hr 29 min

Elevation 54–337 ft

Out & Back · The Forest of Nisene Marks State Park

Trailhead: Aptos Rancho Trail · 36.98061, -121.90601

Weather Aug 4: sunrise 6:16 AM · sunset 8:13 PM

No dogs on part of this route · Transit-accessible: Soquel Drive & State Park Drive stop 214 m from the trailhead · Parking lot at the trailhead

  1. Start on Aptos Rancho Trail, heading NE.
  2. 0.5 miPass Aptos Rancho Viewpoint.
  3. 0.7 miContinue straight onto Aptos Creek Road, heading N.
  4. 250 ftBear right onto Aptos Rancho Trail, heading N.
  5. 200 ftTurn left, heading N.
  6. 50 ftBear left, heading NW.
  7. 350 ftTurn left onto Aptos Creek Road, heading N.
  8. 0.9 miBear right, heading N.
  9. 200 ftContinue straight onto Aptos Creek Fire Road, heading N.
  10. 1 miReach Aptos Rancho Viewpoint, then turn around and head back the way you came.
  11. 0.5 miBear left, heading SE.
  12. 0.6 miBear left onto Aptos Creek Road, heading SW.
  13. 0.9 miTurn right onto Aptos Rancho Trail, heading SW.
  14. 350 ftTurn left, heading S.
  15. 50 ftBear right, heading S.
  16. 50 ftTurn right, heading S.
  17. 250 ftBear left onto Aptos Creek Road, heading SE.
  18. 200 ftContinue straight onto Aptos Rancho Trail, heading SE.
  19. 0.8 miTurn right, heading S.
  20. 0.1 miArrive back at the trailhead.

Each distance is the walk from the previous step. Tap a step for a map of its junction.

Trail map, photos and weather for this hike: www.ambleway.com/hikes/aptos-rancho-viewpoint-aptos-creek-road-out-back-4-sights-via-aptos-creek-road

Trail surface

55% dirt45% unspecified

Weather

Sunrise 6:16 AMSunset 8:13 PM

Good to know

  • No dogs on part of this route
  • Transit-accessible: Soquel Drive & State Park Drive stop 214 m from the trailhead
  • Parking lot at the trailhead

Other ways to reach this destination

More from Aptos Rancho Trail Trailhead

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